Storm Chandra has swept across the UK, bringing a mix of heavy rain, strong winds, and snow that has caused widespread flooding and travel disruption. The Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings, including a 'danger to life' flood threat in Devon, where the River Otter at Fenny Bridges reached its highest recorded level on Tuesday morning, surpassing the previous record set in December 2000.
The severe flood warning for the River Otter at Ottery St Mary was later lifted after water levels fell, but a severe danger-to-life warning remains in place for the Upper Frome in Dorchester. More than 100 other flood warnings are still active across the country. In addition to the flood warnings, the Met Office has issued yellow warnings for wind, rain, and snow affecting Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and southwestern England.
The storm caused significant travel disruption, with over 300 schools and higher education providers in Northern Ireland closing on Tuesday. Belfast City and Belfast International airports cancelled dozens of flights, and Stena Line cancelled several sailings between Belfast and Liverpool, as well as other Irish Sea routes. Firefighters in Devon and Somerset rescued people from 25 vehicles caught in flood water, with no casualties reported.
In the Republic of Ireland, ESB reported around 20,000 homes, farms, and businesses lost power due to the storm. Dublin Fire Brigade responded to multiple flooding incidents in the city. The Met Office has issued yellow warnings of ice for Wednesday across large parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland, central Scotland, the Midlands, East of England, London, South East, North of England, and parts of Wales, with potential disruption from icy untreated surfaces.
Natural Resources Wales has issued six flood warnings for rivers, including the Afon Lwyd and River Monnow. The poor weather is expected to continue into Wednesday, with ice warnings in place from 3am to 10am for Northern Ireland. Travel disruption is likely to persist as the storm slowly clears.
